In this class, we share a whole series of working Finale scripts that can be pasted right into your Finale Scriptis Finale's built-in scripting environment allowing multi-step operations to be performed by a single keyboard shortcut. editor. These scripts work “out of the box” and drastically reduce the time required to create a scoreA written representation of a piece of music, including the notation for all parts of an ensemble..
Using Finale Script for Common Tasks
Creating/Editing Finale Scripts:
Basic Syntax
Tasks
- Our Most-Used Scripts
- Editing Entries
- Staff Tasks
- File Tasks
- Creating Finale Scripts
- Resources
- The Future of Scripting
Resource – Facebook Group
Our Collection of Finale Scripts
Finale lacks a shortcut editor, per se, but you can create shortcuts for common tasks using Finale Script. We’ve collected over 20 different functions and assigned shortcuts to them for every day tasks such as
Editing Entries
Configuring the Edit Filter.
We use the edit filtera process that removes or reduces certain frequency ranges from an audio signal. to work on or copy:
- chords
- notes
- or lyrics
- or for Respelling accidentals
- for Tying and untying notes
- for VoicingThe distribution of musical notes between different parts in an ensemble; the intervallic structure of a harmonic array and harmonizing MelodyA series of single pitches (notes) played in a sequence to create a musical line. Lines
Staff Tasks
- Moving entries to a different layerAn independent overlay of music in the same measure. The layer selection buttons appear in the lower left corner of your Finale window, indicating which layer is active.
- Copying a rhythmThe pattern of beats and accentuations in music within a virtual grid governing the timing of events within it from one part to another
- Swap entries from one staff to another
- Reset music Spacing
File and System Tasks
- Exporting Audio
- Switch Playback Device
Creating Finale Scripts
Finale Script uses plain language commands, but with specific syntax.
There’s a complete Finale Script Command Reference online. (with a link below in the text).
You might prefer to use Scripts already tested and collated from an online resource.
Resources
…features an extensive collection of working Finale Scripts you can paste right into your Finale Script editor.
…is a community of Finale Script enthusiasts who are also very helpful resource.
The Future of Scripting
Elgato’s StreamDeck is an external button bank controller, available as a mobile app or hardware device.
It can be used to triggerIn Finale, the term "trigger" describes a keyboard shortcut that is used to display the Waiting for Input dialog box while entering music with the Simple Entry caret. Once displayed, a Metatool key can be used to enter certain markings, or the marking can be chosen from a selection dialog box. your FinaleScript shortcuts, as well as a do a lot of other things like open apps and files, play KeyBoard MaestroA scripting environment on the Mac capable of saving hours of work, used by power users to trigger scripts, often from collections of scripts organized into palettes Macros, and open frequently visited websites.
We set ours up to trigger our scripts, as well as trigger script sequences we created. For example, we set up a combination of diatonic transpositions to create a 4-way close voicing and assigned the sequence1. Array of musical notes in a repeating pattern; 2. An arrangement of MIDI events to one button in StreamDeckis an external data entry device used by some advanced users for entry of scripted commands.